Neji had begun to worry after a while, and it seemed, in his own way, Kiba was too.
"Damn it, where'd that damn cat girl gone off to?" He griped, crossing his arms. "Stupid girl."
Neji watched him carefully, trying to comprehend the relationship the two shared. It was a vicious one on her end, he could tell she seemed genuinely upset and hurt by the boy. However, Kiba had a look of worry in his eyes, and was pacing.
"What're you starin' at! It ain't my fault!" Kiba snapped at the Hyuuga, who narrowed his eyes.
"You are worried about Kagome-san." Neji said and Kiba snarled at him.
"Yeah, right! Like I'd worry about what pussy ca-" He didn't finish as a kick came flying out of no where.
At first, Kiba thought it was Neji, however, Kagome stood there between them, smirking. "Gomen ne, Kiba-kun, I'm so clumsy! Thank you for catching me!" She said, placing her hands on her cheeks and smiling a large, fake smile.
"God damn girl!" Kiba growled, standing up.
"Eh? What's that, Kiba-kun? Got to prove your masculinity for some reason? Oh, yes. I remember now. Yes, you do have to show it somehow." She commented, just as Neji put a hand on her shoulder.
"Kagome, that's enough. He was just as worried about you as I was." Neji said and she brushed off his hand.
"Then you couldn't have been too worried." Her eyes shot over to Kiba. "That ungrateful hound doesn't care about my feelings one way or another."
Neji sighed, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her along. "Kagome-san, come. We're going home, and you can pick out any unoccupied room you want."
Kagome blinked at him. "You know, Neji, I thought you said the engagement was off."
Neji watched as she held her arms to her chest, as if she were trying to shrink in on herself. She didn't like him touching her. He let his hand fall from her and continued walking. "Between myself and you it is, the contract was already signed, however." He let his eyes drift away from her. "Either way, I will court you properly."
Kagome frowned. "I don't see why we have to go through all of this, it won't change anything."
"You and I are caged birds, Kagome. Trapped within what we are rather than who we are. To others, you are flawed and I am a servant." His eyes drifted back to her. "To each other, I am sure we will come to mean much more than that. We have similar fates, Kagome, I find it comforting to think I could share it with someone."
Kagome frowned, unsure what to say as Kiba shouted and ranted behind them, cursing her as she left the Inuzuka Compound for good.
"Neji-sama?"
"Hai?"
"...You really are a romantic."
Neji blushed and looked away, frowning. For a moment, that's all he did as they walked, much slower than the cart that carried her things. Suddenly a chuckle escaped from his lips. "Alright, Kagome, I'll concede to that, but it stays between us."
Kagome grinned. "Can't let others know the natural genius was a softy at heart, can we?"
"You would completely ruin my reputation in a few words." He replied and she grinned.
"No one would believe me." She said and Neji hid his smile behind a hand. "Too good for casual joking, Neji-sama?"
Neji chuckled again. "The clan head will punish me if I act so disgracefully in public." He said, truthfully. "Though, it is quite refreshing." And with that, his hand dropped and his smile was no longer present, though, Kagome saw an amused gleam in his eyes.
"Don't tell me I have to stick to those standards, too." Kagome whined and he nodded.
"As my future wife, you will behave as an elite clan member should." He smirked at her. "Though, I'm sure you'll be causing my uncle much grief in that."
Kagome grinned. "A cat doesn't bite the hand that feeds her, she merely scratches a bit." She giggled at that, and Neji was hiding another smile.
"You, Kagome, will be making life more interesting from now on." His eyes traveled to the sky and he sighed. "Let's pick up the pace, I have to meet my team for training very soon." He had completely stopped using honorifics with her name, and, to be honest, it felt nice.
"Hai, hai Neji-sama."